Hello all -- I have an Elan IIe and have been most happy with it. However I want a 7e but can't see any real reason to upgrade beside the additional focusing points, increased number of evaluative metering segments, faster motor drive and different styling. Have I missed anything? I'll probably go for it and keep the IIe as a backup. Opinions?

-- Catman (Catmanman@aol.com), January 16, 2002

Answers

i'm in your same situation. i have an elan iie too and have been looking to upgrade to the elan 7. the way i see it though is, "if you give a mouse a cookie, he's gonna want a glass of milk." basically once you get the elan 7, you're probably gonna want the eos 3, and this little spending habbit could turn nasty on ya and eventually make you have to put a second morgage on the house. i for one an going to stick with my elan iie until it cannot serve me any longer in which case i will be forced to upgrade. good luck.

-- Jeff Nakayama (moonduck22@hotmail.com), January 16, 2002.

Yeah, the Elan 7E has a dedicated button for DOF preview. With the 420EX or 550EX Speedlites, it also activates the modeling light, a very useful feature when using 2 wireless E-TTL flashes. Finally, the E-TTL ratio controls don't work with the Elan II.

However, the Elan II does have a dad burn nice AF assist light. I prefer its sliver finish and more gripable size. I hate black cameras and audio equipment.

-- Puppy Face (doggieface@aol.com), January 16, 2002.

The upgrade wouldn't seem worthwhile.

Better to spend the money on a new lens or save for an EOS 3.

-- Isaac Sibson (isibson@hotmail.com), January 16, 2002.

I upgraded from an Elan II (no ECF) to the 7e. ECF was the main reason. But I also wanted the extra AF points (it was nice having 3, but I've definitely benefited from the 7 points). The faster motor drive isn't important to me; I rarely even used the 2.5 fps on the II. The II's 6-zone meter was pretty good in most situations; the 7e's 35 zones might be better but not dramatically. I like the styling of the II better - I like the classic look of silver on top and black below, but really, I'm more concerned about how my pictures look than how the camera looks.

The II is a quiet camera, but the 7e is much quieter - not a big deal for me, but for some people it's important (and if noise is an issue for you, you probably don't want an EOS 3 - it has a reputation for not being particularly quiet).

If your photography habit makes you want to spend money (I know mine does) but you're happy with the body you have, is there anything else that might be a better use of the money? A lens to fill a hole in your current lineup or a better lens to replace one that's not so great? Tripod? Flash? A photography course at night school?

-- Steve Dunn (steved@ussinc.com), January 16, 2002.

Hey don't try to use us for an excuse to buy a new camera we get in trouble too ya know. Now for the serious side. Just cause there is a newer version out there doesn't mee you have to buy a new camera. You even stated that you were looking for an excuse to get rid of your current Elan. I say if you have to look for an excuse than stop thinking of a new body. Most times you HAVE to get another body cause it broke or it stinks. Enjoy this time and find something else to spend you $ on like film or lenses. Or if the new body bug has taken you go for an EOS 3. The hell with baby steps go for the gold.

Hope this helps.

-- john (mr.-n-mrs.g@att.net), January 16, 2002.

I'm another Elan IIe owner that has decided not to upgrade. The Elan 7e is just a bit nicer in several respects, but not enough to force my wallet out of my pocket. The Elan IIe has a better low light AF ability and it has a better AF assist light. I would miss both of those. The Elan 7e is also reported to meter incorrectly with a non- EF mount lens. I use a screw mount fisheye with EOS adapter & I'd hate to give that up.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), January 16, 2002.

Ya know, I did exactly what you are considering, and then I did exactly what others have mentioned. I expected alot out of the move from an Elan II to the 7E...The differences on paper looks pretty good, but in the fray of while shooting, they both felt like the same camera. So, I sold the 7E and bought an EOS 3. I lost a little money in this fiasco, but I love my 3.

There is one thing that I really did not like about the 7E: It is a tiny, extremely light camera.

-- Roger S. (rashrader@hotmail.com), January 16, 2002.

I bought an EOS 3 to supplement my Elan II, because of the spot meter, faster flash sync, and ability to eliminate auto flash reduction. While the EOS 3 has additional features and more responsive operation, the Elan II is still a very nice camera, and I doubt the EOS 3 will really help me take better pictures.

-- Kenneth Katz (socks@bestweb.net), January 17, 2002.

Thanks everyone. I suspect I will stay with the IIe. There just isn't enough difference to buy the 7e. And the results are very good. Thanks again......Cat

-- Catman (Catmanman@aol.com), January 17, 2002.